Okay, so why is your holy book of truth any more valid than anyone else's?

Question

The Qu'ran says that it is the truth from God.
The Bible says that it is the truth from God.
The Tanakh says that it is the truth from God.
The Book of the Dead says that it is the truth from God.
The Kojiki says that it is the truth from God.
The Book of Mormon says that it is the truth from God.... should I continue?

All of these books have believers that swear to their veracity and truthfulness, none of them have proof of their veracity and truthfulness that would stand up in a court of law. So, besides what you feel in your heart of hearts, what makes your particular holy book of truth any more valid than anyone else's?

Father K, I can name several people of several different religions that rose from the dead. Can you provide proof of your claim that is more valid and admissible in court than the proof of the others? If not, I'll consider your argument invalid.

Answer 1

Well, let's face it: either one of them is right and the rest are wrong or none of them are right. It really depends on whether or not God (Absolute Truth) exists or not, and if He does, whether or not He's chosen to reveal Himself to us.
Only then can you begin to study the various belief systems and discover what is and isn't true. We weren't meant to take it on blind faith or accept it just because generations before us believed it. Our minds are designed to question and explore--we have logic, and as you mentioned, courts of law and ways of discerning what's true from what's untrue. The only way to really know is to subject these "holy books" to open and honest questioning. Try them as you would in a court of law--fairly but firmly, and see which one stands. It has been done before many times--check out http://www.allaboutthejourney.org/ to see a skeptic's analysis of your questions.

Answer 2

I would argue that a court of law is hardly a valid measure of whether something is the truth. If it were then the court system would always discover the truth and we all know that isn't the case.

The way I see it, validity isn't "more" or "less", it is "yes" or "no". Either something is valid or it is not. I don't claim that my "holy book" (the Bible) is "more valid" than anyone else's...I merely claim that it is valid!

I have no basis for judging the validity of any of the other books you mentioned because I haven't identified and tested the premises to see if they are logically consistent with the conclusion that those books were provided by the creator. The only book on your list that I've subjected to that kind of scrutiny is the bible; thus, it is the only one I can possibly label valid OR invalid.

The way I see it, if we were created, it logically follows that the creator understands his creation. From that perspective, the bible becomes an instruction manual for God's creation. If the creator provided an instruction manual for his "invention" (human beings), and if the instructions in the bible consistently and accurately explain the way we "work", then it logically follows that the book is the work of the creator.

What does it for me is the amazingly accurate picture of human nature painted throughout the bible. I've studied dozens of concepts in psychology over the years and I'm frequently amazed at the parallels between what the bible says and something we're only just now discovering (through research) about human behavior. I've personally tested many of the main instructions in the bible...and in EVERY case, my experiences demonstrated the truth of the message. The way I see it, the bible clearly demonstrates that God knows exactly what we are, what we need, and what isn't good for us. I've already found a few errors in the owner's manual for my new truck and I still choose to consult it as a valid source for assistance with operating my vehicle. I have never, in more than 30 years of study, found an error in the bible...it is thus, a perfectly valid source for assistance with my existence!

Answer 3

Your point is well taken and right on. That is one of the reasons I'm a pagan. One basic principle we follow is that there is no one correct path, but many correct paths, and no one truth for everyone.

All the patriarchal religions have this basic problem. They all claim that if you don't follow their particular brand of god, you are condemned to some horrifying death. Did you ever notice that female based spiritual paths do not have this exclusionary vision, and that the religions that are monotheistic are all male oriented? Is there a major world religion that is both monotheistic AND has a female deity? I don't know of any.

Terrific question!
Blessings,
Lady Morgana )0(

Answer 4

1. Bible- supported by archaeology & history.
2. Qur'an doesn't make any claims regarding prophecy/history. Although it seems to clearly contradict itself, as it progresses.
3. Mormon book-disproven by archaeology, history & has been changed by the Mormon church itself. Plus it has clear contradictions.
4. I cannot speak for the Tanakh, other than it is probably accurate.
5. I have nothing to say about the Kojiki

Edit 1- Re: Father K
Yes, but the resurrection of Jesus is knowable through many avenues (history, his contemporaries, him appearing even today among Shaman Indians, Muslims. People accepting him in Uganda & some being legitimately healed of Aids, people in upper Canada trusting in him & crops, agriculture starts coming back, etc...)
Want more substantiated, documented, and provable info.? You can email me.

Answer 5

He has sent down to thee the Book containing the truth and fulfilling that which precedes it; and He has sent down the Torah and the Gospel before this, as a guidance to the people; and He has sent down the Discrimination.

Surely, God has purchased of the believers their persons and their property in return for the heavenly Garden they shall have; they fight in the cause of God, and they slay and are slain - an unfailing promise that He has made binding on Himself in the Torah, and the Gospel, and the Qur'an. And who is more faithful to his promise than Allah? Rejoice, then, in your bargain which you have made with Him; and that is the mighty triumph.

Answer 6

The only holy book of truth that has any validity for me is written by God in the language of my heart. We get along just fine, thanks. The books you mention are ways that different cultures have used to interpret and explain what individual people who have experienced God have experienced and to share it with others wishing to experience it as well. Please don't blame sincere and real efforts for the attempts of liars and highjackers who take sincere and real efforts and twist them to suit their own selfish and harmful aims.

Answer 7

I don't beleive that, G-d is too big and no one single religion has all the answers. I do think some of them have bits and pieces correct. A person just needs to follow what the beleive is the most correct and be true to themselves.

Answer 8

The Book of Hoo states that it is all lies from God.

Therefore, we know that the Book of Hoo is the only truthful book out there.

So, logically, The Book of Hoo is the only true book, and hooliganism is the only true religion.

Answer 9

the bible proves manythings true... very simple details that were told in the bible were later found in history.. such as an engraving in a brick of building. other things such as the fact that the bible said it was a sphere before 'columbus' figured it out.. all he had to do was open a bible.

Answer 10

Just the feeling in my heart of hearts.
Nothing else and you have a valid arguement on your hands.